A Virginia court seal, usually seen in a criminal defense case in Newport News and Hampton.

CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON

Homicide

Murder is a serious charge that serves a large punishment. Understanding the charges that you are facing is important firstly. Above all, a criminal defense attorney with thorough experience is important. In other words, call us, the attorneys of Goff Voltin, to get a rigorous defense.

MURDER
  • FIRST DEGREE
    • First degree murder is:
      • the intentional
      • premeditated
      • malicious killing of another.
    • All murder other than capital murder and murder in the first degree is murder of the second degree and is punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than five nor more than forty years.

VIRGINIA CODE: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-32/

  • SECOND DEGREE
    • Second degree murder is:
      • The intentional
      • Malicious killing of another.
    • Second degree murder does not require premeditation.
    • Second degree murder is punishable by five to forty years in prison.

VIRGINIA CODE: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-32/

MANSLAUGHTER
  • VOLUNTARY
    • Manslaughter is defined as:
      • The unlawful killing of another
      • Without premeditation or malice.
    • Voluntary manslaughter is punishable as a Class 5 felony.

VIRGINIA CODE: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-35/

  • INVOLUNTARY
    • Involuntary manslaughter is defined as:
      • The accidental killing of another
      • While engaged in an unlawful, but not felonious, act, or
      • In the improper performance of a lawful act
      • “Criminal negligence is the basis for involuntary manslaughter and has been defined as acting consciously in disregard of another person’s rights or acting with reckless indifference to the consequences.” Gray v. Commonwealth, 2000 Va. App. LEXIS 548 (2000).
    • A felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one nor more than 20 years, one year of which shall be a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment.

In short, representation by a criminal defense lawyer is helpful in these cases.

VIRGINIA CODE: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-36.1/

Self-defense or defense of another can be used to argue against homicide charges; however, these are rare cases. In most cases, self-defense is preventing yourself from further harm. The excessive force resulting in the death of the assailant will still count as a homicide for example.

In conclusion, if you or a loved one need homicide defense, call the attorneys of Goff Voltin for their expert analysis and defense.

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Anyone could find themselves facing criminal charges. In fact, a criminal charge can have lasting effects on the lives of those with such charges on their records. However, in order to effectively handle a serious legal situation, individuals often need to understand what they are facing. If you have a criminal law charges in Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, Yorktown or the rest of the Hampton Roads area, call the criminal defense attorneys at Goff Voltin, PLLC today.